What'sRequired The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides a complaint resolution process for special education complaints as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended. The IDEA is a federal law that requires states to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Federal regulations require states to investigate written complaints of IDEA violations.
What We Do
Any person or organization may file a special education complaint alleging that a school district or other public agency has violated a federal and/or state special education law or regulation. The person filing the complaint is referred to as the “complainant.” The public agency against whom a complaint is filed is referred to as the “Local Educational Agency” or “LEA.”
A complaint must be written, signed, and addressed to TEA. If the complaint is about a specific student, the complaint must include the student’s name and address and the name of the school or program the student is attending. If the student is homeless, the complainant must include available contact information for the student. It is also important to include the student’s date of birth (for identification purposes only). In addition, the complaint must include the complainant’s contact information.
When a complaint is filed by a third party (someone other than the parent, legal guardian, or adult student), the complainant will be informed of the requirements of confidentiality and required to submit written authorization signed by the parent (or adult student) for the release of personally identifiable information about the student subject to the investigation.
A complaint must include a description of the how the complainant thinks the LEA violated special education r details about the alleged violation(s), and proposed solution to the problem (to the extent known and available to requirements, facts or the complainant at the time the complaint is filed).
Technical Assistance for the Dispute Resolution Processes
To access additional information including forms regarding Complaints, Mediation, and Due Process Requests, click here.
Questions regarding the complaint investigation process may be addressed by contacting: Texas Education Agency
Division of Federal and State Education Policy
1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701
Telephone: (512) 463-9414 or Fax: (512) 463-9560
Questions regarding requesting mediation services or due process hearings may be addressed by contacting: Texas Education Agency
Division of Legal Services
1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701
Telephone: (512) 463-9720 or Fax: (512) 475-3662
Toll Free Parent Information Line: 1-800-252-9668 This toll free message line is reserved for parents and other family members who have questions about student rights and regulatory requirements as they relate to special education complaint investigations. Calls are returned by trained professionals during normal business hours. Please contact the Division of Legal Services at 512-463-9720 for questions related to mediation or due process hearings.
For Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
TTY Number: (512) 475-3540 | Relay Texas 7-1-1
The Texas Education Agency | Division of Federal and State Education Policy 1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494 Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560 Parents Information Line: 1.800.252.9668
What's Required
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides a complaint resolution process for special education complaints as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended. The IDEA is a federal law that requires states to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Federal regulations require states to investigate written complaints of IDEA violations.
What We Do
Any person or organization may file a special education complaint alleging that a school district or other public agency has violated a federal and/or state special education law or regulation. The person filing the complaint is referred to as the “complainant.” The public agency against whom a complaint is filed is referred to as the “Local Educational Agency” or “LEA.”
A complaint must be written, signed, and addressed to TEA. If the complaint is about a specific student, the complaint must include the student’s name and address and the name of the school or program the student is attending. If the student is homeless, the complainant must include available contact information for the student. It is also important to include the student’s date of birth (for identification purposes only). In addition, the complaint must include the complainant’s contact information.
When a complaint is filed by a third party (someone other than the parent, legal guardian, or adult student), the complainant will be informed of the requirements of confidentiality and required to submit written authorization signed by the parent (or adult student) for the release of personally identifiable information about the student subject to the investigation.
A complaint must include a description of the how the complainant thinks the LEA violated special education r details about the alleged violation(s), and proposed solution to the problem (to the extent known and available to requirements, facts or the complainant at the time the complaint is filed).
Technical Assistance for the Dispute Resolution Processes
To access additional information including forms regarding Complaints, Mediation, and Due Process Requests, click here.Questions regarding the complaint investigation process may be addressed by contacting:
Texas Education Agency
Division of Federal and State Education Policy
1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701
Telephone: (512) 463-9414 or Fax: (512) 463-9560
Questions regarding requesting mediation services or due process hearings may be addressed by contacting:
Texas Education Agency
Division of Legal Services
1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701
Telephone: (512) 463-9720 or Fax: (512) 475-3662
Toll Free Parent Information Line: 1-800-252-9668
This toll free message line is reserved for parents and other family members who have questions about student rights and regulatory requirements as they relate to special education complaint investigations. Calls are returned by trained professionals during normal business hours. Please contact the Division of Legal Services at 512-463-9720 for questions related to mediation or due process hearings.
For Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:
TTY Number: (512) 475-3540 | Relay Texas 7-1-1
The Texas Education Agency | Division of Federal and State Education Policy 1701 North Congress Avenue | Austin, Texas 78701-1494 Telephone: 512.463.9414 | Fax: 512.463.9560 Parents Information Line: 1.800.252.9668
Forms
Resources